Kuka poised to sign Midea bid

German group wants assurances on its headquarters, factories and employment

German robotics maker Kuka AG is on the brink of agreeing to a takeover bid from Chinese bidder Midea Group Co that includes a long-term commitment to its existing headquarters, factories and jobs, a source close to the negotiations said.

Kuka needs to decide in the coming week whether it wants to recommend the acceptance of Midea's 4.5 billion euro ($4.99 billion) bid, the biggest German industrial technology company to be targeted by a Chinese buyer in a wave of recent deals.